Gas grill screen

ABSTRACT

A free-standing removable decorative outdoor grill screen includes a planar rectangular central panel having a first predetermined height and a first predetermined width. Two rectangular and planar side panels are hingedly connected to vertical edges of the central panel. Two rectangular and planar rear panels are hingedly and removably connected to vertical edges of these side panels. Decorative artwork, designs, or other indicia adorn the front sides of the central, side, and rear panels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/866,658 filed Nov. 21, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to home outdoor barbeque grill accessories and, more particularly, this invention relates to removable decorative enclosures around the lower part of gas cooking grills.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, owners of outdoor gas grills have had to tolerate whatever appearance attributes came with the purchased grill. Generally, the upper part of the grill is generally not unattractive. The lower part, however, typically will include a propane tank, and eventually grease and rust marks, and perhaps cobwebs and the like.

The little that has been described for enclosing or surrounding outdoor grills has been done essentially just for safety reasons, and aesthetics have been poor. For example, a barbeque grill housing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,384, and a guard for a cooking device is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,408.

Melaun in U.S. Pat. No. 1,487,794 discloses a metal screen curtain for covering radiators, fireplaces, and similar items that is primarily for aesthetic reasons. However, it would not be free-standing to place around other items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a free-standing removable decorative outdoor grill screen that includes a planar rectangular central panel having a first predetermined height and a first predetermined width. Two rectangular and planar side panels are hingedly connected to vertical edges of the central panel. Two rectangular and planar rear panels are hingedly and removably connected to vertical edges of these side panels. Decorative artwork, designs, or other indicia adorn the front sides of the central, side, and rear panels.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the rear panels are removed to adapt the screen to a grill stored against a wall. In addition, the edges of the panels could be framed, and adjustable legs could be positioned at the bottom corners.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing, easily removable enclosure for the lower part of outdoor gas grills.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative screen to hide the lower portion of propane grills and keep children away from the propane tank.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative outdoor grill screen that is easy to store, set up, and take down.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative screen enclosure that is adaptable to outdoor grills either positioned against a wall or in an open area.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above, it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a gas grill with the decorative screen surrounding the lower portion.

FIG. 2 a frontal elevation view of the screen apparatus unfolded into one plane.

FIG. 3 is a rear-side perspective view of the decorative screen.

FIG. 4 is plan view of the screen being used to cover a gas grill stored against a wall.

FIG. 5 is plan view of a partially folded screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the decorative screen 10 is shown in a perspective view as it might be seen surrounding the base section of a propane grill 12. Only two of the five decorative panels are visible. There is the front one 14, and one of the side panels 16, hingedly connected together. Various decorations 18 are put on the panels 14 and 16. Optional adjustable feet 19 may be included to keep most of the apparatus slightly elevated from the floor or deck. Another option is to frame all edges of the panels.

FIG. 2 is a frontal elevation view of the entire decorative screen 10 unfolded and stretched into one plane; not how it would be deployed. The front panel 14 is about twice as wide as the side panels 16 and rear panels 20. All panels are generally the same height, typically about 32 inches. All panels are preferably opaque or translucent and covered on the front side with decorative artwork, designs, or other indicia 18. The two side panels 16 would be movably connected to the central panel 14 with hinges 22. Similarly, the two rear panels are connected with hinges 24 to the side panels, but the hinges 24 are separable by removable pins to adapt the screen to a grill stored against a wall.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the rear of the decorative enclosure illustrating how it is meant to be free standing and yet readily removable for when the grill is going to be used. The side panels 16 are held to the front panel with hinges 22, preferably of the type known as piano hinges, but any that allow the panels to be folded down nearly flat would be acceptable. The panels are be made of substantially rigid weatherproof material, and frames around the panels are optional.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating how the present invention would be adapted to a grill 12 stored against a wall 30. The side panels 16 are connected to the central front panel with hinges 22 allowing the side panels to be positioned about 90 degrees to the front panel. The rear panels have been removed by withdrawing pins out of door-like hinges 24. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus is three sided, without or with hinges for later addition of rear panels.

FIG. 5 is another plan view demonstrating how the full five-panel decorative screen could be folded down nearly flat for storage. First, the rear panels 20 would be rotated around the hinge 24 to place the fronts of the side and rear panels facing one another, step 34. Next, the back of side panel 16 would be folded down against the back of the front panel 14, step 32. This would be done for both sides to make the screen as flat as possible for storage. It could then be readily unfolded and set up when use of the grill has ceased.

While a presently preferred and alternative embodiment of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same, it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A free-standing removable decorative outdoor grill screen comprising: a) a substantially planar and rectangular central panel having a first predetermined height and a first predetermined width, said central panel having opposing vertical edges, a top and bottom edge, and a front and rear side; b) two substantially rectangular and planar side panels having a first predetermined height, a second predetermined width, said side panels having two opposing edges, a top edge and bottom edge, and front and rear sides, wherein said side panels are hingedly connected to said vertical edges of said central panel; c) two substantially rectangular and planar rear panels having a first predetermined height, a third predetermined width, said rear panels having two opposing edges, a top edge and bottom edge, and front and rear sides, wherein said rear panels are hingedly and removably connected to said vertical edges of said side panels; and d) decorative indicia adorning at least one of said front sides of said central, side, and rear panels.
 2. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined height is between about 24 and 60 inches.
 3. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined height is between about 30 and 35 inches.
 4. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein said decorative indicia adorn said front sides of said central, said side, and said rear panels.
 5. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined width is between about 30 and 60 inches.
 6. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined width is between about 16 and 30 inches.
 7. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined width is between about 20 and 24 inches.
 8. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein said third predetermined width is between about 14 and 30 inches.
 9. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein said third predetermined width is between about 20 and 24 inches.
 10. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein height-adjustable feet are fixedly attached and spaced at a predetermined distance along said bottom edges of said central, side, and rear panels.
 11. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein edges of said panels are framed.
 12. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 1, wherein said rear panels are hingedly and removably connected to said vertical edges with door hinges.
 13. A free-standing removable decorative outdoor grill screen comprising: a) a substantially planar and rectangular central panel having a first predetermined height and a first predetermined width, said central panel having opposing vertical edges, a top and bottom edge, and a front and rear side; b) two substantially rectangular and planar side panels having a first predetermined height and a second predetermined width, said side panels having opposing vertical edges, a top and bottom edge, and a front and rear side, wherein said side panels are hingedly connected to said vertical edges of said central panel; and c) decorative indicia adorning at least one of said front sides of said central and said side panels.
 14. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 13, wherein said first predetermined height is between about 24 and 60 inches.
 15. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 13, wherein said first predetermined height is between about 30 and 35 inches.
 16. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 13, wherein said first predetermined width is between about 30 and 60 inches.
 17. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 11, wherein said second predetermined width is between about 16 and 30 inches.
 18. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 11, wherein said second predetermined width is between about 20 and 24 inches.
 19. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 12, wherein said decorative indicia adorn said front sides of said central, said side, and said rear panels.
 20. The decorative outdoor grill screen, according to claim 13, wherein said edges of said panels are framed. 